What is Physical Therapy and is it Appropriate for Me?

As our country struggles with economic hardship and the cost of healthcare continues to climb, the cost-benefit of direct access physical therapy services is more evident.  Direct access refers to the ability of a patient to access physical therapy services without a physician's referral.  Thus, patients with pain and musculoskeletal deficits do not have to report to their primary care provider in order to receive a prescription for physical therapy.  Instead, they can report directly to a physical therapist, an expert in biomechanics and musculoskeletal injuries, without any major restrictions or physician referrals.   Florida is one of the few states that allow direct access to a physical therapist without any major restrictions.  Clearly, physical therapy is by no means the cure for every condition, but it can provide quick, effective results at a minimal cost for many musculoskeletal problems. 

It is also critically important to address medical conditions as early as possible in order to avoid chronic pain and to optimize therapeutic outcomes.  A recent physical therapypublication found that “less than 5% of shoulder rotator cuff tears are due to traumatic and single-injury mechanisms, whereas 95% of all tears are due to gradual wear.”  For example, addressing the biomechanics of the shoulder at the earliest signs of pain through physical therapy will help to prevent a full muscle tear; thereby optimizing successful treatment, preventing further injuries, and ensuring independent, long-term management of the condition.  Physical therapists are the experts in biomechanics and motion, and we help patients to function by using latest techniques to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries, thus improving your quality of life.

The physical therapy profession continues to grow, advance and adapt to modern health care needs into the 21^st century.  The purpose of this post is to make people aware of ALL options when seeking medical care, and that physical therapy is easily accessible, cost effective, and a clinically powerful alternative for many orthopedic conditions.  Just ask any of the individuals that have already been treated at Pursuit Physical Therapy.  The Pursuit Physical Therapy staff has unmatched academic credentials and experience treating a variety of orthopedic conditions, chronic pain, back pain, sport-specific rehabilitation, and golf swing analysis.  Moreover, Pursuit Physical Therapy prides itself on promoting only the very best evidence-based practice with optimal patient care, and patient satisfaction.  Pursuit Physical Therapy promotes the vision of the future of physical therapy, which is physical therapy provided by doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to of which consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.  Visit www.pursuittherapy.com or Pursuit Physical Therapy at 407-494-8835 for more information regarding physical therapy and how we can help you get out of pain!

Exercise is medicine!